The Cause Or The Cure

John 9:2-3  
And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?  Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

Thought:  
The disciples saw the blind man and turned him into a question. They wanted to know whose fault it was. Was it his sin or his parents sin. They wanted to talk about blame. They were more interested in the cause than the cure.  

We often treat people the same way. When we see a broken life, we quickly ask why. Why did he end up like that. What did she do wrong. We stand at a distance and examine their story like a problem to solve. But this does not help the person in front of us.  

Jesus did not allow the disciples to reduce this man to a lesson on guilt. He said that this blindness was not a special punishment for a certain sin. It was one more painful result of living in a fallen world. But in that pain God was going to show His works. God was going to reveal His power and His grace.  

God does not need sin or darkness to be God. He is light. He is holy. But in His mercy He steps into the dark places that sin has caused. He takes what is broken and shows His goodness by healing, saving, and restoring. What others see only as a curse can become a canvas for Gods grace.  

When you look at your own past or at someone else, ask yourself a simple question. Am I only looking for a cause, or am I looking to the One who is the cure?

Prayer:  
Father, forgive me when I spend more time blaming than helping. Forgive me for looking at people as problems instead of people who need Your mercy. Thank You that You step into broken situations and show Your works. Please help me trust You with the parts of my life I do not understand. Use my pain as a place to show Your grace. In Jesus name, Amen.